Improving your home before you sell it can seem like a waste of money. After all, if you’re not going to live there much longer, why remodel or add features you won’t get to use much?
As any real estate professional should tell you, proper upgrades can help you recoup the cost and more in a higher selling price for your home. But, it’s important to look at your home as a whole, and to understand your market and your buyers to ensure you invest in the right type and number of upgrades.
Painting in neutral tones is probably the simplest (and most common) upgrade a homeowner can do. Here are 7 more profitable features that homeowners can consider investing in.
Laundry Room. Creating a proper laundry room (or area) to a home helps clean out other rooms where clothes may be stacked, and can keep the living space tidier. Find a way to provide counter space, shelving, and option for hanging at the minimum.
Energy-Efficient Items. Energy Star-Qualified windows and appliances can be good selling points for buyers looking to save on their utility bills. A water-efficient washing machine, dishwasher and furnace/AC (if replacement is due) are great additions.
Countertops. If you can’t afford to completely renovate your kitchen/bathrooms, replacing countertops with granite or quartz and an undermount sink provides an instant makeover.
Cabinets. Replacing full cabinets can be pricey, so a simpler, more cost-effective alternative is to replace cabinet or drawer fronts with a modern design; for example, shaker-style. This will make these rooms fresh and inviting and give these rooms an instant lift.
Patio. Adding a patio even in the smallest of spaces can be very appealing to buyers and can make a backyard look much more inviting. Add a table and/or some patio lounge furniture, and buyers can envision themselves sitting and entertaining outside.
Hardwood Floors. As they are easy to maintain, have a clean look and are healthier for those suffering from allergies, proper hardwood flooring is a fantastic investment and makes a world of difference in the sale of your home.
Organized Storage. Storage space always seems to be lacking in homes especially for growing families. Add custom closet organizers to closets to create a clean, organized look. Add some storage to a garage to keep clutter out of a home’s inviting living areas and you’ve essentially created a bonus space. Some examples of storage in a garage space include cabinets, shelves, rows of boxes, and even a mezzanine accessible by ladder.